Airlines are set to offer more “unbundled” business class fares as demand for premium airline cabins grows, according to a new report from travel technology firm Amadeus.

The company’s 2024 Travel Trends report identifies several likely developments in the travel industry next year, including the addition of more flexible business class fares, which do not include benefits such as airport lounge access, seat selection and upgrade abilities.

Amadeus said that several airlines have already introduced these “more affordable and accessible” business class fares, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Finnair and sister carriers Air France and KLM, which introduced Light fares for business class on long-haul flights earlier this year.

Many airlines are also adding more private “luxe” business seats such as Japan Airlines, Air India, Cathay Pacific and Air New Zealand for travellers willing to pay more for this enhanced service. These upgraded cabins increasingly offer sliding privacy doors, large 4K entertainment screens and wireless charging technology.

Other trends identified by Amadeus include the increased use of generative AI in planning travel trips to create “intelligent concierge” platforms. These virtual travel assistants will be able to make search and advice “hyper-personalised and more intuitive” for users.

“The next generation of generative AI-powered customer service will be delivered with greater patience and empathy, reducing the workload of employees to deal with the bulk of after-sales servicing and customer review management, giving them the bandwidth to provide the human touch on more specialist issues,” said Amadeus in its report.  

Amadeus also predicts that 2024 could see significant progress in the emergence of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, also known as “flying taxis”, which can offer more sustainable travel options around cities.

“It may seem very futuristic but German aircraft manufacturer Volocopter is planning to provide a fleet of electric VoloCity eVTOL for the Paris Olympics in 2024, making it one of the first electric air taxi networks,” said Amadeus.

“At the same time, Volocopter is expanding its reach to Asia, with plans to launch electric air taxis in Singapore by 2024, beginning with services in Marina Bay and Sentosa.”